Foldable clasp for wrist watch bands



oct. 2s, -1947. A E. WEBER 2,429,950

FLDABLE CLASP FOR WRIST WATCH yBANDS Filed March 1, 1946 INVENTOA EMME-RICH WEBER.

ATroR'NE Y.

iatented ct. 28,

AUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE claims. 1

The present invention relatesto foldable extension devices for wrist'watch bracelets, bands,

straps and the like, and aims to provide certain improvements therein.

Wrist watches are customarily held on the wrist of the wearer by a bandor strap which may be of any suitable'material such as leather, metal, fabric and the like, and which usually comprises either two band sections vwhich are connected to each side of the Watch case and are joined together by means of a` buckle or other suitable fastening device, or a continuous band having a clasp AWhichis extensible so as to increase the length ofthe bandl and to permit it to be slipped over the hand of the wearerr and which is collapsible to reduce the encircling size of the bracelet.

In all prior wrist bands for watches and the like with which I am familiar, the buckleY or clasp was arranged to be located in aconspicuous position. on the side of theWrist band diametricallyoppof site thewrist watch to which the band was attached, and presented an unattractive appearance and a projection of the wrist band which frequently caused thecuff edges of the wearers coat or other garment sleeves to fray from the constant friction between the buckle or clasp and the cuff edge. k Y Y f It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, effective and inconspicuous clasp for wrist watch straps or analogous bands, capablerof use with conventional watch cases, which will provide with such a watch case and wrist band an endless unit, the clasp being adapted to be folded or unfolded to shorten or lengthen'the band, and which in use may be hidden beneath the Watch case so that the watch band mayV present a continuous, unbroken appearance on the wrist of the wearer, free from objectionable projections, and without adding appreciable thickness of material between the watch case and wrist of the wearer.

A further object of the invention is to provide a foldable clasp for wrist Watch and analogous bands adapted, when folded, to be concealed be- `neath the watch case and having novel latching means for releasably retaining the members in Such folded position. v

A still further object of the invention is to provide a foldable clasp 'for wrist watch and analogous bands which isadapted for use with conventional watch cases or the like, wherein the clasp is capable of easy adjustment to conform it to the Watch case contour, and to permit it to bear against and be concealed by the back of the watch case, when folded.

`A still further object of the invention resides in providing. a Yband for wrist watch cases or the like which has two foldable clasp portions adapted to `fit one Within vthe other when in folded or collapsed condition and thereby to provide for greater extensibility of the band and for use with wrist `watches of different length.

, A further object of the invention is to provide a foldable clasp for wrist watch and analogous bands'which is of efiicientLstrong and durable construction and which will provide, with the watch band, an extensible bracelet of economical construction which is simple and easy to operate.

Other and further objects and advantages will be understood by those skilled in the art, or will be made apparent from the more detailed description which follows.

According to the present invention I attain the foregoing and other objects by providing Va foldable clasp comprising a plurality of substantially flat portions or mem-bers adapted to be moved relatively-to each other into superposed relation, the members preferably being relatively thin, metallic elements, having means on one end for attachment to a wrist Watch case pintle or the like and means on the other end for attachment tol awrist or analogous band. Novel latching means are also provided which do not add to the thickness of the clasp, in superposed relation, for releasably retaining the members in such relation, with the latching elements preferably being disposedV intermediate the side edges of the clasp. The clasp is especially adapted for use with conventional Watchrcases by -being bendable near its pintle receiving and band receiving ends to conform itto the shape of the watch case and to permit it, when folded, to underlie and bear against the back of the case. The invention also provides for additional expansion of the wrist braceletvby providing a pair of foldable clasps, one on each side of the watch, which are foldable into superposed relation for concealment behind the watch case, and which interfit, one within the other, and hence avoid extra thickness of material betweenthe wrist and the watch case.

For a more detailed description of the invention, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates in plan view a wrist watch and clasp embodying the present invention, and showing the clasp in extended condition.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of Fig. 1 and showing in broken lines the clasp in partly col- Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the right hand portion of the watch and clasp shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a wrist watch and wrist band with a modified form of clasp.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the watch case, wrist band` and clasp of Fig. 5 with the clasp in fully extended condition.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational View, partly in section, of the watch case and clasp of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the clasp of Fig. '7 before the band-receiving end of the clasp has been bent to its watch case pintle lanking position.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the band-receiving end of the clasp after it has been bent to such flanking position,

Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of the bandreceiving end of the clasp shown in Fig. 9.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, .one form of conventional watch case It! has spaced end lugs II between which extend .the pintles I2. Pivoted on one such pintle is one member I3 of a' collapsible clasp having a pintle-receiving end I3a provided with a transverse opening through which the pintle passes. A second clasp member I4 is hin-gedly connected at I4a, to the member I3 as shown, each member being substantially ilat and relatively thin, `of more or less rectangular shape. By relatively thin as herein used, it shall be understood that the clasp members I3, I4, shall have a thickness of the order of one-sixteenth of an inch, and preferably less. The free end of member I4 may be formed with a pintle-receiving loop portion I5 for connection with one end -of a -wrist band indicated at IS. The hinged connection I4a 'between the two clasp members I3, I4 may be provided b y rolled loops formed at the respective ends of said members and are held in assembled relation by a hinge pin Mc. As is well illustrated in Fig. 2, the invention contemplates that the hinge loop on the member I3 when in extended position shall be rolled downwardly and the hinge section on the member yI4 shall be rolled upwardly so as to dispose such hinge loops out of the plane of the clasp members when in folded or collapsed position. This will be observed in dotted lines in Fig. 2. It will also be observed that the free end of the member I 4 adjacent its band-connecting loop I5 has been bent upwardly and outwardly to provide an angular portion I'I disposed in flanking relation to the pintle I2 when the clasp members are superimposed, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. A latch member I8 is struck up out of member I4, intermediate its side edges, and engages the pintlereceiving end I2 of member I3, when the clasp is collapsed, to hold the clasp in locked association with the watch during use, as will be understood, and as more particularly shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The member I3 is provided with an orifice |31) through which the latch member I8 may extend to have access to the pintle end of member I3. The other end of the band I6 need only to be provided with a conventional connecting piece I9, which may be similar to piece I5 and be engaged between the lugs I la on the other pintle I2. y

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 5 to 9, the back of another form of conventional watch case 2i) is disposed below the plane of the pintles 25a. In order to provide a clasp which, when folded in collapsed condition will lie ,flat against the bottom of the watch case, the pintlereceiving end 2| of the clasp member 22 has been turned upwardly, inwardly of its rolled pintlereceiving loop. In this modification, also, it will be observed that the hinge connection between the two clasp members 22, 23 is rolled upwardly on one member and downwardly on the other member so as to dispose the hinge connection out of the plane of the wrist-engaging face of member 23 when the clasp is in collapsed condition, and to present an unobstructed wrist-engaging surface on the underside of member 23. Intermediate the side edges of the clasp member 23, a pair of latching elements 24 have been struck up, which are adapted to enter and be retained in ,la recess 25 in member 22, the latter being provided with resilient walls by means of slots 26 formed in the member 22 adjacent these walls. cordingto the present invention the latching elements extend above the surface of member 23 a distance sufficient only to enter the recess 25 and to be completely housed therein. They do not vextend beyond the .upper surface of member 22 when the .clasp members are in superposed retained position, and hence do not prevent such surface from engaging against the back of the rwatch case 20.

As best illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the present invention provides a foldable clasp for wrist watch and analogous bands which is adapted for use with .conventional types of watch cases, wherein the pintle-receiving sockets in the lugs 20a may vary slightly in their relative distance from the ends of the lugs. The invention contemplates that the clasp member 23 shall preferably take the form illustrated in Fig. 8 wherein it is shown as of greater length than the member `22 4and is vbendable Iout of its normal plane adjacent its free or band-receiving end 2.1, from the position shown in Fig. 8 to the position shown in Fig. 9, whereby such free end 21 may be disposed in predetermined spaced relation to the pintle-engaging end 2I of member 22. To accomplish this the member 23 maybe bent to provide a-n angular portion 28 which will flank said pintle-receiving end of the member 22. As show-n in this embodiment the means for attaching the band to the clasp member 23 is in the form of prongs 29 for embedment in a `leather or like strap 29a.,

It will be understood that in use the clasp preferably will form with a watch case andband an endless unit .or bracelet, as sho-wn in Fig. v5, and that when the clasp is unfolded or extended, the encircling size -of the bracelet will be increased to permit it to be slipped over vthe hand of a wearer. The bracelet can then be reduced in encircling size by folding the `rlielfnbers I' 3, I4 (-Fig, 1) or the members 22, 23 (Fig. V5) into superposed relation, beneath the -wrist watch case, where they will be concealed from view Yand will be releasably retained by the latching element ,I8 (Fig. 1) or 24 (Fig. 5). The outer surface of the member yI3 or 22 will l-ie substantially flat against the bottom face of the watch case, and the outer surface of the member I4 or 23 will engagey the wrist of the wearer. It will be noted that the clasp presents a substantially fia-t exposed wrist-engaging surface which `is free from irritating obstructions or projections. As vbefore stated, the clasp members preferably are made relatively thin, lin order to avoid adding an appreciable amount of material between the wrist watch case and the wrist. vIn the preferred embodiment the clasp members `are metallic blade-'like elements, which 'provide the requisite strength without appreciable material thickness.

In the forms of the invention thus lfar de,

scribed, the clasp is located entirely on one side of the wrist Watch. My invention is not limited to such constructions, however, since I have discovered that under some conditions it is advantageous to dispose a clasp on each side of the Watch. By such arrangement I am able to provide for greater extension of the bracelet, or for adequate extension with relatively small Watches, and I am also enabled to adapt the clasp and attached Watch band to be used for a variety of sizes or lengths of Watch cases.

From the foregoing detailed description it will be appreciated that I have provided simple, economical novel foldable extension devices for Wrist Watch bracelets, bands, straps and the like, by means of which devices a wrist watch, locket or other analogous article may be expeditiously applied onto and removed from the wrist of a wearer and present when so applied, a continuous unbroken appearance for the bracelet or band, free from objectionable projections and Without adding appreciable thickness of material between the wrist watch or the like and the Wrist of the wearer.

It will also be understood that although I have shown and described certain preferred embodiments of my invention, these embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not as limitative, since other and further variations may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit or principles hereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A foldable clasp for wrist watch bands comprising at least two hingedly connected substantially flat members adapted to be folded into superposed relation under a wrist watch, means at the free end of one of said members for connection with a Wrist band and means at the free end of another of said members for connection with the wrist watch case, and cooperating latching means on said hingedly connected members for retaining them in folded, superposed, releasable relation, said latching means being disposed Wholly within the outer plane surfaces of the members when in folded, retained superposed relation.

2. A foldable clasp for wrist watch bands comprising at least two hingedly connected substantially nat members adapted to be folded into superposed relation beneath a wrist watch, means at the free end of one of said members for connection with a wrist band and means at the free end of another of said members for connection with a wrist Watch case, one of said members having a recess therein, and a latching element on another of said members extending out of the plane thereof and adapted to engage in said recess when the members are in superposed relation to releasably hold the same in such relation, said latching element and the recess being disposed entirely Withn the thickness of the clasp when the members are in folded, retained superposed relation.

3. A foldable clasp for wrist watch bands comprising at least two hingedly connected substantially flat members adapted to be folded into superposed relation under a wrist watch, means at the free end of one of said members for connection with a wrist band and means at the free end of another of said members for connection with the wrist watch case, and cooperating latching means on said hingedly connected members for retaining them in folded, superposed, releasable relation, said latching means being disposed Wholly within the outer plane surfaces of the members when in folded, retained superposed relation, the member having the means for connection to the Wrist band being of greater length than the other member and being bent out of its normal plane adjacent its free end whereby said free end may be disposed in predetermined spaced relation to the free end of the first mentioned member.

4. A foldable clasp for Wrist watch bands comprising at least two hingedly connected substantially nat members adapted to be folded into superposed relation beneath a wrist watch, means at the free end of one of said members for connection with a wrist band and means at the free end of another of said members for connection with a wrist watch case, one of said members having a recess therein, and a latching element on another o f said members extending out of the plane thereof and adapted to engage in said recess when the members are in superposed relation to releasably hold the same in such relation, said latching element and the recess being disposed entirely within the thickness of the clasp when the members are in folded, retained superposed relation, the member having the' means for connection to the wrist band being of greater length than the other member and being bent out of its normal plane adjacent its free end whereby said free end may be disposed in predetermined spaced relation to the free end of the rst mentioned member.

5. A foldable clasp for wrist watch bands comprising at least two hingedly connected substantially flat members adapted to be folded into superposed relation under a Wrist watch, the free end of one of said members terminating in a hinge eye at one side of the plane thereof for pivotal connection with the pintle of a wrist watch, the free end of another of said members terminating in a hinge eye beyond and at the same side of the plane of the first said member as said first mentioned eye for pivotal connection with an end of a wrist band, and cooperating latching means on said hingedly connected members and substantially wholly within the outer plane surfaces of themembers when folded, for retaining them in folded, superposed, releasable relation.

EMMERICI-I WEBER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,827,243 Kuehner Oct. 13, 1931 1,990,385 Kurz, Jr Feb. 5, 1935 2,046,079- MacIntosh June 30, 1936 1,970,041 Johnson Aug. 14, 1934 1,835,578 Vetter Dec. 8, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 190,403 Germany Nov. 7, 1907 591,434 Germany Jan. 22, 1934 

